Rotary edge grinding machine



May 20, 1952 w. A. REASER ET AL ROTARYIEDGE GRINDING MACHINE:

Filed May 6, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 s maman T NEIM T ESZH VA .C

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May 20, 1952 w. A. REASER ET AL ROTARY EDGE GRINDING MACHINE 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 6, 1950 INVENTORS.'

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ELMER A. 212MB, BY Jam M 7m/I5 TMAN.

w. A. REASER. ET AL 2,597,180

May 20, 1952 ROTARY EDGE GRINDING MACHINE v 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May6, 1950 IN VEN TORJ l/l/LLJAMAJZ/EA 5312.

ELMER A. Z IEMS.

TTYS'.

Patented May 20, 1952 TED STATES PATENT FFICE ROTARY EDGE GRINDIN GMACHINE of Ohio Application May 6, 1950, Serial No. 160,488

This invention relates to machines for edge grinding glass plates or thelike, and particularly to such a machine having a rotatable supportingtable for the plates to be edge ground.

The primary object of the invention is to improve on the constructionand operation of the plate edge grinding machine shown and described inour application for United States Letters Patent filed April 13, 1949,Serial No. 87,242, now Patent No. 2,579,337, dated December 18, 1951.

An object of the invention is the provision of simple and improved meansfor the rough and finish grinding of an edge of glass plates or the likeat one side of the axis of rotation of the supporting table and removingthe plate from the table at the opposite side of such axis.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved means forcarrying and controlling the movements of the abrading units.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description and from the accompanying drawings,illustrating one embodiment of the invention, in which- Fig. 1 is afro-nt elevation of .a machine embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a topplan view thereof; Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 in Fig.2, with parts in full; Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on the line 4-4 inFig. 2, with parts broken away; Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 inFig. 4; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan View of the machine, with theabrading wheel-carrying units in horizontal section on substantially theline 6-6 in Fig. 1, and with the machine equipped with differentwork-supporting table and template, work-pieces and holding meanstherefor; Fig. 7 (Sheet 3) is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectionof the work-clamping means and table of Fig. 2, with an abrading wheelin edge engagement with a clamped work plate; Figs. 8 and 9 aredifferent side elevations with parts in section of the Work plateclamping means; Fig. 10 is an enlarged section on the line Ill--I Il inFig. 9, and Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan of the rotary table in Fig. 2.with a plate clamped thereto and diametrically illustrating theprogressive action of the several abrading wheels on its edge.

Referring to the drawings, I (Figs. 1 and 3) designates the base frameof a machine embodying the invention, such base frame being elongated orof beam-form transversely of the machine 'and having, in the presentinstance, supporting legs 2. This frame is provided centrally with ahollow casing 3'and cap 4 therefor in 12 Claims. (Cl. 51-101) which avertical shaft 5 is journaled. A brake wheel 6 is fixed to the lower endof the shaft below the casing 3 and is engaged by a brake band 'Iwhich'may have the desired frictional engagement Vwith theJ wheel toresist a free turning of the shaft. The shaft is slowly driven bysuitable power means indicated at 8 in Fig. 1, and this means includes aworm wheel 9 on the shaft 5 within the casing.

Fixed to the upper end of the shaft 5 to turn therewith is a rotarytable part I0 supporting a work plate carrying table I I on its top andcarry-v ing at its lower portion a template I2. The table I I in Fig. 2is of a shape to support a work plate A at each of two-portions thereofon opposite sides of the table axis with three edges of the plateexposed and projecting slightly beyond the respective table edges inposition to be edge ground. In Fig. 6 the table, designated IIa, iscircular and supports a plurality of small Workpieces A' with an edgeprojecting beyond the table edge in grinding position. The template I2ain Fig. 6'is of a form suitable for guiding the edge grinding of thework plates IIa. In each case the table is provided with suitablypositioned gauge stops I3 for the plates, and these may be shaped tosuit the shape and size of the plates operated on.

A standard I5 rises from each end of the frame base I at the respectiveside of the rotary worksupporting table and these standards arecrossconnected at their tops by a cross-piece I6 disposed diametric tothe table axis. The cross-piece I6 is provided on its top, in thepresent instance,

with a longitudinally extending vertical web I1 that is offset at itscentral portion to one side of the table axis, as shown in Fig. 2.

The means for clamping the work plates to the table during grinding iscarried by a spider frame I8 that is centrally'mounted above the tableon a stem part I9 rising centrally from the table part I0 (Fig. 3) toturn therewith. The spider I8 in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 has two oppositelyextending arms with each projecting over the respective plate supportinghalf of the table I I and supporting a cylinder 20 having a verticallymovable plunger 2l therein. A stem 22 extends down from each plungerthrough the respective spider arm and carries a clamping plate 23 at itslower end for engaging a work plate A and clamping it to and below theclamped work, as shown in Fig. 1, for the purpose hereinafter described.

Air under pressure is supplied to each cylinder 20 above and below thepiston from any suitable supply source through a conduit 25 andconnecting passage 21 axially in the table stem I9, thence through lines28 to a respective four-way valve 2S and lines 30 and 3| to the top andbottom, respectively, of the cylinders 20. Each valve 29 has a rotaryplug 32 (Fig. 1U) which, when in one position, opens communicationbetween the respective supply line 28 and the cylinder line 3| and atthe same time opens the cylinder line 30 to an exhaust line 33. When thevalve plug is turned to the other limit of its movement, air pressure issupplied to the upper end of the cylinder and the exhaust is from thelower end through the line 33. The line 33 is divided with one branch incommunication with the upper space 25 and the other branch incommunication with the lower space 25 (Figs. 7 and 8). The introductionin this manner of the exhaust from the cylinders into said spaces 25tends to relieve any suction pressure on the respective face of the workplate when the clamping plate 23 is raised to release the holdingpressure on the work plate.

A valve 29 is fixedly mounted on each arm of the spider I8 at the innerside of the respective cylinder 20 and a stub shaft 35 projects axiallyfrom the valve plug 32 toward the table stem i3 and carries a cross-arm36 for engagement rst at one end and then the other with pins 31 and 38projecting from a plate 39 that is fxedly attachedk to the cross-framepart I5, as best shown in Figs. 8 and 9. These pins, in the presentinstance, are located at the right hand side of the table axis (Fig. 3),which is the plate removal side of the table. The rotation of the tableis counter-clockwise and as each end or platecarrying side of the` tableapproaches the platerelease side of its rotation after a grindingoperation, the upper pin 31 engages the upper end of the valve arm 36and moves the valve plug 32 into position to admit airpressure to thelower end 'of the adjacent cylinder 2D, as indicated in Fig. 10. Thiseiects a raising of the associated clamping plate 23 te permit removalof a ground work-plate and the insertion of a plate to be ground. Thismovement of the valve plug also places the upper end of the cylinder inconnection with the exhaust line 33. Before the table has turnedsuiiciently for the newly positioned plate A to reach the grinding zone,the lower end of the arm 36 will have engaged the pin 38 and have beenmoved thereby to admit air pressure to the upper end of the cylinder andto exhaust the pressure from the lower end. This action effects alowering of the associated clamping plate 23 to clamp and rmly hold thework plate to the table during its passage through the grinding zone. InFig. 2, the plate replacement zone is indicated at the lower side andthe grinding zone at the upper `side of the figure.

The edge grinding means, in the present instance, comprises two grindingunits B, C, spaced circumferentially of the table and both locatedwithin the grinding zone of the table movement. Each unit comprises aframe or head 40, carried for horizontal rocking movements by arespective U-shaped rocker yoke 4| that is journaled at its inner end inthe upright l at the respective` end of the frame beam for horizontalrocking. In the presentA instance, the inner loop end of the arm 4| isprovided with a shaft 42- that fixed in a respective open ing in the armby screws 43 (Fig. 5) and has its ends forming trunnions that arejournaled in bearings 44 in top and bottom portions of the standard l5.The unit frame 40 is provided at its inner or work side with upper andlower central extensions 45 having axially aligned trunnions journaledin bearings in the free ends of the vertically spaced arms of the rockeryoke 4| to have free horizontal rocking movements relative thereto.Mounted in the frame 40 at each of opposite sides of its rocking axis isa vertical shaft 43 carrying at its lower end a grinding wheel 41 inposition to have circumferential grinding engagement with the exposededge of a work plate -A clamped to the table An L- arm 48 depends fromthe frame 40 at the outer side of each wheel 41 and carries a templatewheel 49 below and in axial register with the associated grinding wheel41 and in position to engage and roll around the periphery of thetemplate |2. The rocking of the frame 40 in its carrying yoke permitsthe grinding and template wheels of a unit to follow an irregular oroutof-round edge of a Work plate and associated template, and thisaction is further facilitated by the permissible rocking of the unitcarrying arm dl. The arms 48 are slidably connected to the frame 4|! topermit axial adjustment of the` associated template wheel to compensatefor wear of the wheel, and such adjustment is eie'cted by the turning ofan adjusting screw 5i! connecting the frame and arm.

The grinding wheels v41 in the unit B, which are the first to havegrinding engagement with the edge of a work plate, are for rough grind?ing, the second plate-engaging wheel preferably having a somewhat nnergrind than the other. Likewise, the wheels of unit C' are for nishgrinding with the last one to engage a work plate effecting a finerfinish than the other. It is thus apparent that a plate is rstprogressively rough ground by unit B and then progressively finishground by unit C. Each grinding wheel of a unit is individually drivenby an associated motor 5| on the frame 40 therewith through a respectivebelt and pulley connection 52.

The grinding wheels of each unit 'are` held in yielding grindingengagement with a work plate edge by exerting a yielding inwardly movingpressure on cach unit carrying yoke 4|, in the present instance, by acable 53 and attached weight 54. Such a cable is vattached to the freeend of each yoke 4| at its inner side, as at 55, then extends inwardlyaround a respective sheave 56 on Athe frame cross-piece |5 near thetable axis and'then outwardly lengthwise of said frame piece around asheave 51 at the end thereof and dow-n to the weight 54. It is apparentby reference particularly to Fig. 2 that the edge grinding zone is atone side of the frame structure l5, I-B, and that the work plate loadingand removal zone is at the other side thereof.

In the form shown in Fig. 6, the spider frame |8a has six arms so thateaCh arm can 'carry a cylinder (not shown) like 2li for eachwork-holding clamp 23a. In `an operation of the machine, the table andtemplate |-2 are caused to slowly rotate by starting the power means `8.A Work plate A is then placed on they exposed portion of the table atthe Vopposite side ofthe framestructure l, 5, [6, to the grinding meansand beneath the associated clamping plate 23 whichA then in raisedposition.` When the table is ad. vanced a predetermined extent from thisposition. and before engagement of the, po'stined nlatebv the grindingwheels, the associated lvalve arm 36 will have engaged the pin38 andmoved the valve plug 32 into position to admit air pressure to the upperend of the associated cylinder and thus cause a lowering of the clampingplate 23 to engage and hold the work plate to the table. The exposededge of the plate is then progressively and successively moved intogrinding engagement with the several grinding wheels of the units B andC to eiect iirst a rough grinding and then a iinished grinding of theplate edge. When the workplate has completely passed from the grindingzone to the replacement zone, the arm 35 of the associated control valve29 engages the pin 3l and movesthe valve plug 32 to admit air pressureto the lower end of the associated cylinder 20 and eiect a raising ofthe clamping plate to release the ground work plate Apreparatory tobeing replaced by another work plate to be ground. At the same time, theexhaust from the upper end of the cylinder is directed to the spaces 25above and below the work plate to relieve any suction thereon. The sameaction is present in the operation of the form sho-wn in Fig. 6, exceptthat the work plates being smaller and of greater number successivelymove with greater frequency into grinding and replacement positions sothat the work clamps are accordingly more frequently operated. Duringrotation of the table the template wheels 49 bear against the peripheryof the template l2 and thus cause the respective grinding wheels M tohave movements in accordance with the guided movements of the templatewheels to rough and iinish grind the work plate edges to predeterminedshape.

It is apparent that the template guided movements of each grinding wheelare of a compound nature in that they comprise both the pivotalmovements of the carrying yokes 4l and the pivotal movements in suchyoke of the respective wheel-carrying frames 40 about parallel axes. Thegrinding wheels 41 and template wheels 49 are normally held in yieldingengagement with the work and template, respectively, by the weights 54through the guided cables 53.

We wish it understood that our invention is not limited to any specificconstruction, arrangement or form of the parts, as it is capable ofnumerous modifications and changes without departing from the spirit ofthe claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent, is:

1. In a plate edge grinding machine having a means for clamping androtating a work plate with'a portion at least of its edge exposed forgrinding, the combination of a member pivotally mounted for swingingmovements toward and away from the edge of a plate held by said meansand about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of saidclamping means, a frame pivotally carried by said member with its pivotaxis parallel to that of the member, a plurality of edge grindingVwheels. carried by said frame for rotation about different parallelaxes and in the plane of rotation of a plate carried by said clampingmeans, means carried by the frame for driving said wheels, means actingon said member and frame to yieldingly hold the wheels in edge grindingengagement with the edge of a work plate during rotation with saidclamping means, and cooperating template means on said rst means andframe for guiding the grinding wheels.

2. In a plate edge grinding machine having a means for clamping androtating a Work plate,

6 i with a portion at least of its edge exposed for grinding, thecombination of a member pivotally mounted for swinging movements towardand away from the plate edge about an axis substantially parallel to theaxis of rotation of the plate, a frame pivotally carried by said memberwith its pivotal axis parallel to that of the member, a grinding wheelcarried by said frame at each of opposite sides of its pivotal axis inthe member, means,V carried by the frame for driving vsaid wheels, meansacting on said member and frame to yieldingly hold the wheels in edgegrinding engagement with a work plate edge during rotation, andcooperating template means on said rst means and frame for guiding thegrinding wheels.

3. A combination as called for in claim 2, together with independentdriving means on the frame for each grinding wheel.

4. In a plate edge grinding machine having a means for clamping androtating a Work plate with a portion at least of its edge exposed forgrinding, the combination of a yoke pivotally mounted for swingingmovements outwardly and inwardly from the edge of a plate carried bysaid means, a frame pivotally carried by said yoke with its pivotal axisparallel to that of thev yoke, an edge grinding wheel carried by theframe at each side of its pivotal axis in the yoke, separate meanscarried by the frame for driving said wheels, means acting on the yokeand frame to yieldingly hold the wheels in edge grinding engagement witha work plate edge during rotation, and cooperating template means onsaid first means and frame for guiding the grinding wheels.

5. In a plate edge grinding machine having a means for clamping androtating a work plate with a portion at least of its edge exposed forgrinding, the combination of a yoke pivotally mounted for swingingmovements toward and away from the plate edge, a frame pivotally carriedby said yoke with its pivot axis parallel to that of the yoke, aplurality of edge grinding wheels carried by said frame with their axesat opposite sides of said frame axis, means carried by the frame fordriving said wheels, means acting on the yoke and frame to yieldinglyhold the wheels in edge grinding engagement with a work plate edgeduring rotation of said first means. a template on said rst means, and aseparate template wheel carried by the frame for each grinding wheel andriding against said template to gauge the plate grinding action of therespective grinding wheel.

6. In a machine of the class described having a rotatable work platesupporting table, means for clamping a plate to the table, and a guidetemplate turnable with the table and coaxial therewith, the combinationof a yoke mounted for swinging movementsv at an edge of and in the planeof rotation of the tabl'e, a frame carried by said yoke for freeswinging movements relative thereto in a plane substantially parallel tothe swinging movements of the yoke, a grinding wheel rotatably carriedby said frame at each of opposite sides of the frame axis and in theplane of a held plate, means for driving each wheel and mounted on theframe therewith, a template wheel carried by the frame for each grindingwheel, and means acting on said frame and yoke to yieldingly hold thegrinding and template wheels in edge engagement with a work plate to beground and with said template, respectively, as the table rotates.

7. In a machine of the class described having a rotatable work platesupporting table, means for clamping a plate to the table coaxialtherewith, anda guide template turnable with the table, the combinationof a U-shaped yoke having its arms vertically spaced and having its loopend pivotally mounted for horizontal swinging movements, a framepivotally mounted between the yoke arms for horizontal swingingmovements at an edge of the table, at least two lgrinding wheels carriedby frame for horizontal rotation about diierent axes and in position toboth engage and travel on the edge of a clamped work platewhen the tableis rotated, one at least of said wheels having an edge grinding actionon the plate, driving means for each grinding wheel carried by theframe, a template engaging wheel carried by the frame in coaxialrelation to each grinding Wheel, and means acting on said frame and yoketo yieldingly hold the grinding and template wheels in edge engagementwith the work plate and template, respectively, as the table is rotated.

8. In a machine of the class described having a rotatable work Vplatesupporting table, means for clamping a plate to the table, and a guidetemplate turnable with the table and coaxial therewith, the combinationof means operable to hold a Work plate to the table during a grindingzone of movement and releasing it in a work replacement zone oi movementof the table, a frame, a swinging member carrying said frame forswinging movements relative thereto and toward and away from the tableaxis at the grinding zone of movement of the table, a pair of grindingwheels carried by the frame one at each-side of the swinging axis of thefra-me, separate means carried by the frame for driving each wheel,separate means on the frame coaxial with each grinding wheel forcoacting with said template to guide the swinging movements of therespective wheels, and means acting on the wheel-carrying frame toimpart yielding inward movements to the wheels relative to the table.

9. Ina machine of the class described having a rotatable table for`holding a work plate with a portion of its edge projecting beyond thetable edge, and a guide template turnable with the table coaxialtherewith, the combination of a cross-frame over the table, a -memberattached to each end of said frame` for horizontal swinging movements, aframe unit mounted in the free end of each of said members forhorizontal swinging movementsl relative thereto and therewith inward andoutward at an edge of the table, lat least two grinding wheels carriedby each frame unit, one at each side of the frame unit pivot, and withtheir axes parallel to said pivot, means for yieldingly swinging saidmember inward to hold said wheels in edge grinding engagement with aplate on the table, the several wheels of the two frame units havingtandem engagement with the work edge to progressively grind it as thetable rotates,

driving means for each wheel carried by its frame unit, and meansassociated with each wheel for coaction with said template to guide thewheel movement in engagement with the plate.

10. A combination as called for in claim 9 wherein said swinging membersproject from the sa-me side of said cross-frame so that the grindingwheels have coaction with a work plate on the table at one side only ofthe cross-frame.

11. In a plate edge grinding machine having a means for clamping androtating a Work plate with a portion at least of its edge exposed forgrinding, the combination of a yoke pivotally mounted for swingingmovements toward and away from the edge of a plate clamped by saidmeans, a frame pivotally carried by said yoke with its pivotal axisparallel to that of the yoke, a plate edge grinding wheel carried by theframe at each side of the pivotal axis of the frame, separate meanscarried by the frame for driving said wheels, means acting on the yokeand frame to yieldingly hold the wheels in edge grinding engagement witha work plate edge during rotation of said iirst means, and templatemeans for guiding the grinding action of the wheels, said template meanscomprising a template plate on and turnable with said work-clampingmeans, a bracket carried by said frame in association with each grindingwheel thereof and mounted on the frame for adjustment in parallel axialrelation to the associated grinding wheel, and a template wheel mountedon each bracket in spaced axial relation to the associated grindingwheel and having edge coaction with said template plate.

12. In a machine of the class described, a work plate supporting table,means for mounting and rotating said table, means rotatable with thetable and pneumatically operable to clamp work to the table during onezone of movement thereof and to release it during another zone ofmovement said clamping means having provision for the exhaust of airtherefrom, means for directing the air exhaust from said clamping meansto a point between the table and a work-piece which may be clampedthereto to relieve any plateholding suction when the clamping means isreleased from holding engagement with the` work, and means for edgegrinding Work during the zone of movement while it is clamped to thetable.

WILLIAM A. REASER.

ELMER A. ZIEMS.

J OHNv M. CHRISTMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name` Date 236,824 Morris Jan. 18, 1881384,995 Moore June 26, 1888 531,368 Fileld Dec. 25,1894

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